Design and capacity performance analysis of wireless mesh network

Abstract

From the network operator's point of view, the high CAPEX/OPEX cost resulting from fixed/wired backhaul links can be inhibitive to successful deployment of broadband wireless services. The emerging wireless mesh network (WMN) technology is seen as one of the potential solutions which may reduce wired backhaul dependency through multihop transmission. Despite the advantages, many remain sceptical on WMN's network capacity and scalability performances particularly when the user density is high. This paper provides an insight on the best possible upper-bound capacity performance of WMN, taking into consideration three key design parameters namely 1) Percentage of wired backhaul points per network, 2) Mesh-to-Access Link-Rate Ratio (R) and 3) Number of radio interfaces per mesh node including hybrid radio options. These design options are compared and contrasted with different deployment densities. The results generally show that the higher the number of backhaul points, the higher the effective access capacity available to mesh node and hence user domain. Increasing the R and the number of radio per mesh node are two alternative means to push up the effective access capacity per mesh node without increasing the number of wired backhaul points. This is most significant in multi radio system where about 80% of the backhaul points can be eliminated with R= 3 in order to maintain effective access capacity close to full rate (Capacity, C=1) per mesh node. It is also found that 50% of the backhaul points can be eliminated with R=2 for all radio options (except for the pure single radio case).

A Cost Sensitivity Analysis for Carrier Grade Wireless Mesh Networks with Tabu Optimization

“…This assumption is valid in situations where there are sufficient orthogonal channels, and/or the network operates under licensed spectrum [3]. In addition, the effects of interferences can be further minimized through the introduction of smart antenna systems (e.g.…”

Deployment analysis of carrier grade urban wireless mesh networks

“…2) Negligible RF interferences: We assume that interference arising from co-channel, adjacent channel, foreign devices, etc., are negligible in situations where there are sufficient orthogonal channels, and/or the network operates under licensed spectrum [9]. In addition, the effects of interferences can be eliminated through the application of effective frequency planning approaches and introduction of smart antenna systems (e.g., beam forming) between mesh nodes.…”

“…In addition, the effects of interferences can be eliminated through the application of effective frequency planning approaches and introduction of smart antenna systems (e.g., beam forming) between mesh nodes. Albeit their practical limitations at the present stage, such assumptions present fundamental requirements for estimating the upper-bound performance limits of wireless mesh networking systems, which are critical considerations for network operators to rationalize on the optimized capacity performance of wireless mesh systems and the viability of this technology under licensed spectrum environment [9].…”